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MacWorld New York 2002: Rumor Roundup

arn

arn

macrumors god
Original poster
Staff member
Apr 9, 2001
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But days away from MacWorld Expo... here is a summary of rumors/news over the past few months related to Apple and MacWorld Expo New York 2002. You can watch the keynote yourself, and follow the action in the MacRumors IRC Channel.

PowerMacs
Last release: Jan 28, 2002

As always, predictions about new PowerMacs span the entire range. Early and subsequent rumors hinted at dual 1.4 GHz G4s toping out the PowerMac line... and even the occasional 1.5 GHz rumors... but with clear hints (one, two) that the G5 will not be coming this soon.

More recent rumors, however suggest that there will be no new PowerMacs until August and with speeds "in excess" of 1.2 GHz. This latter rumor coming from CNet, which tends to be have more reliable rumors than the standard rumor fare.

What information that did leak out, however, was the Prototype Motherboard that was somehow leaked and attempted to be sold on eBay. That particular auction was quickly brought to a halt, and photos hosted on this site were targets of Apple Legal Cease and Desist letters.

Prototype Enclosures

iMac
Last release: Jan 7, 2002

LCD iMacs were released at MacWorld SanFrancisco 2002. While an early revision seems unlikely, CNet hints at 17" iMacs upcoming at this MacWorld.

iBooks
Last release: May 20, 2002

With a relatively recent update, as well as hints from Apple that the iBook would not head into G4 territory just yet, special edition G4 iBook rumors still surfaced.

TiBook
Last release: April 29, 2002

No serious rumors about TiBook updates are currently available... but 1GHz models are reportedly floating around... but not for this Expo.


iPod
Last update: March 20, 2002

With a 10gig upgrade only four months ago, ThinkSecret feels that a 20GB iPod will surface at MacWorld Expo 2002. Previous PC iPod rumors continue, but recent hints against such a release at this time.

Misc

Apple and High-End Graphics?
Firewire 2 at MWNY
Jaguar in August
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2002/07/14/macworld-new-york-2002-rumor-roundup/
Very well put and posted, arn. Thanks.

I think the PowerMacs will be the most closely followed. At least I know I'LL be keeping a close eye on them! And as for the G4 iBooks, I'll buy one as soon as they move to the G4, but no sooner. I'll probably be waiting awhile, as is usually the case...
 
I've got my fingers crossed for a new 20GB iPod. If I could pick up a 10GB for $399 or a 5GB for $299, that would be the deal maker. Otherwise, I can't wait for Jaguar and some updated 17-inch iMacs. Hopefully we'll see some brand spanking new PowerMacs in August that'll hit 1.4GHz- perhaps even 1.5 :).

Bill
 
Very nice post Arm. I love it when we can see a recap like that. It's so easy to forget some of this stuff that's been talked about in the Mac community.

On the ibook I've been eyeing them for awhile now and might already have one but I want the max ram to be at least 1 GB. 640 MB is just too small to futureproof for at least 3 years. It's pointless to buy a system for personal use that won't last that long...at least the way I use them. :)
 
digi-hub

i still wanna stick my neck out and say that apple will have a camera for us to sync with iPhoto. Surely i could be wrong, but, if Apple wanted to make a better camera they know all they need to do is replace the Flash Ram (yuck!) with an mini HD ala iPod and BAM! They have my money! However it must be 4megapixels or better. (prolly just more wishful thinking on my part) -but if ichat is going to have video support then this camera would be a great addition to the Digi-hub.
Geezus i hope i'm right :D :p :cool:
 
It won't be the iPod that we all know...

It's too bad that nothing was noted that speaks of a *brand-new* iPod...

So many technologies speak about a new Apple PDA coming to market. Now is the time.

Sony is going on its own in regard to its Palm-based devices--they're embedding their "iApps" into their handhelds... Handspring is moving to personal communicators (Treo)... HP is killing off the Journada in favor of the iPaq--Pocket PC was never as good as the Palm, which was never as good as the Newton.

The time is right... Thin, high-capacity hard drives (Toshiba 10GB and 20GB) are at the right price points for Apple to start filling them up with a toned down version of Mac OS X (or another operating system that works well with multimedia. Certainly, Apple has been able to work with Samsung (right?) to produce low-cost, good looking small-sized LCD's.

The iPod has been morphing into a PDA, wish its contacts ability. AND... Mac OS X has begun to show its versatility: Rendezvouz, Airport, iChat, Address Book, Sherlock, Mail, Fast Find... These are the things you need in a PDA... But there needs to be a very good implementation of data input: Inkwell.

Now is the time... And, with the Switch campaign beginning and growth of the PDA leveling off (only to be fuled again by next-generation PDA's entering the market, such as cell phones running on 3G and Palm OS 5 devices)... I'm fairly certain that an Apple PDA will be another push to get the PC user to Switch to the Mac.
 
as soon as athlon processors/pentium processors have that special microchip to stop stuff like viruses/junkmail/sharing of mp3s/etc (microsoft's idea), LOTS of ppl will be going to mac without a doubt, unless microsoft signs up IBM/Motorolla for that (without apple's approval)
 
camera?

DUDE! I hope the next digi-hubber isn't a camera... I just got an Olympus 3020! Which rocks the hizzy, IMHO.

I am thinking a Tivo like device might be it... the point has been made that Apple would then have to create a Tivo-like service, and no way that's gonna happen, yada yada.

A camcorder? No. Tivo? No. Camera?

I think it has the best chance, even though this would suck given my recent purchase.

A digi-hubber would have to sync up with an iApp. There has been speculation that perhaps a new iApp will surface on Wednesday, so there remains the possibility of a new digi-hubber/iApp combo that we're not expecting.

Yeah right.

SUPER WEAK. We're getting nothing. NOTHING.

Unless we do, then, you heard it here first.
 
Well....

Well...the rumors that have sprung up recently look well designed to throw everyone off here and on other rumor sites. There was a steady push regarding the new powermacs(and G5's) then a couple of rumors from other sites got most of the people on here questioning if we were even going to see powermacs at MWNY. It appears well orchestrated by Apple to really make us professionals appreciate what is unveiled this week instead of bitching and complaining like when the new iMac was unveiled at MWSF and a G5 wasn't. As someone else posted... this could be their plan to confuse us and block the rumor sites from the real info.
Obviously we only have to wait until Wed to see what happens.
Just my 2 cents...please put those flame throwers down.
 
Has anyone gotten to think that Apple might release a new line or at least a model or two more of powermacs this expo? This would be consistent with the rebate promotion, and also consistent with the rumors. Say the prices drop by 300-500 dollars or so, keep the rebate and release uber-macs with DDR ram, ATA 133, firewire 2, etc... One or two models could be at $2999 and $3499 like the old dual 500's used to be.

Any comments?

-Pete
 
hmm...

I wonder if anyone's thought of this??::::

Since now we have eMac, iMac and PowerMac... what if the iBook became a mid-line in the consumer portables as the iMac has become the mid-line in the desktop arena. This would give way to a nice new product to take in underneath the iBook that would allow the iBook to go G4 and satisfy all of the people wanting a MORE portable computer than even the 12'1 iBook. I won't try to guess of what it would be, but I could see it.

eMac iMac PowerMac
eBook? iBook TiBook


or maybe just have a 12.1 iBook with a G3 and a 14" G4 iBook as the midline... that would satisfy the g4 ibook dreamers as well as the comment of "the g3 has plenty of life" and make the 12.1 g3 a super portable for battery life...........


BUT it would be sweet to see a new product fill the void under the iBook that had a decent 600+ G3 and decent size display.. perhaps with inkwell.. (I won't call it a Pxx) since I'll get bashed, but you know where I'm going with this.. btw.. I'd buy one....
 
Originally posted by ptrauber
Has anyone gotten to think that Apple might release a new line or at least a model or two more of powermacs this expo? This would be consistent with the rebate promotion, and also consistent with the rumors. Say the prices drop by 300-500 dollars or so, keep the rebate and release uber-macs with DDR ram, ATA 133, firewire 2, etc... One or two models could be at $2999 and $3499 like the old dual 500's used to be.

Any comments?

-Pete
Click to expand...

I tend to think the promotion is NOT for the PowerMac's at all.. but for the displays!... I mean.. obviosly.. Powermac's are involved, but that's just because they don't sell ANYTHING that uses displays BUT the powermacs!.. so they HAVE to be included in the rebate if ANYTHING is!

So get your rebated DISPLAY while you can along with your PowerMac... and when the new PM's come out in 3 days..... you can STILL get your rebated display, but now with a NEW powermac! :)
 
OH AND::::::

I think this is reason to speculate UPDATED DISPLAYS!!!!!!

Remember the talk about the Apple icon [or is it iCon] being silver on the new HD 23" but blue on the other displays???

maybe we'll see new widescreen displays in say august..... and that's why the rebate is on now through august.. again..not because of powermac.'s... although this was a good ploy by apple to increase sales of the PM's since some people aren't buying expecting new machines...

not sure how it worked...
 
Re: digi-hub

Originally posted by boobers
i still wanna stick my neck out and say that apple will have a camera for us to sync with iPhoto. Surely i could be wrong, but, if Apple wanted to make a better camera they know all they need to do is replace the Flash Ram (yuck!) with an mini HD ala iPod and BAM! They have my money! However it must be 4megapixels or better.
Click to expand...

A wishful thinking thread over at Apple Insider brought up the idea of a Foveon chip based camera. The more I think about it, the more it would make sense. Foveon is leading edge imaging technology that produces better qualityl, sharpness and color with smaller file sizes. If Apple were to create a digital camera, that is the path I would like to see them take. It would differentiate them from the run of the mill digital cameras. (a Foveon 3.3 megapixel is eqivalent to a 7 megapixel traditional camera. If you don't know what it is, check out these links. http://www.foveon.com/X3_comparison.html -- http://www.sigmaphoto.com/Html/news/news_sd9_fs.htm -- http://www.dpreview.com/news/0202/02021103foveonx3preview.asp

It would be pure Apple all the way. Just wishful thinking. CF II/ IBM microdrive compatibility with firewire, would probably satisfy most folks cravings.
 
That display issue is something that I had forgotten about.

The ASC in my compusa where I work is pushing the idea of new screens very much. I know that apple probably doesn't tell him anything, but he was right about a few things last macworld.

-Pete

Look for new displays.
 
"i still wanna stick my neck out and say that apple will have a camera for us to sync with iPhoto. Surely i could be wrong, but, if Apple wanted to make a better camera they know all they need to do is replace the Flash Ram (yuck!) with an mini HD ala iPod and BAM! They have my money! However it must be 4megapixels or better. (prolly just more wishful thinking on my part) -but if ichat is going to have video support then this camera would be a great addition to the Digi-hub. "
Click to expand...

I think boobers has a point. Apple made cameras before so they got the knowhow.
 
Future displays

I agree on the displays debate, this current promo will shift the current stock of PowerMacs, every one of which will ship with the display, thus clearing their inventory for a new range 17", 19" 22" and 23"HD at the end of August.

New PowerMacs at MWNY will also be eligible for the promo, thus firing sales of the new machines, what with the current ones' "trickling" sales.

We shall see, oh yes.
 
A Camera?!?!

Yes I do have a digital camera a few years old and probably would upgrade if something incredibly nice enticed me enough. But I am waiting for the Canon SLRs to come down in price. The ones that I can interchange with my existing Canon 35mm lenses on the A2 body. They have them now but at very high prices. I personally don't see a camera happening though from Apple.

A PDA based on Palm would be very nice. As someone else mentioned Sony bundles their own apps on their Palm based PDAs. Apple should do the same. They could put iChat on it, quicktime, and more. Palm version 5 brings us closer to where we need to be. Apple as well could get some SD makers to bring out some cool SD cards for use with Apple. Bluetooth I believe is already available.

I currently use my Handspring Visor as a fancy datebook and address book. And then only rarely. Don't plan on buying anything new just yet. But Apple could entice me to if they brought out a PDA with their Inkwell on it.

Also for the Tivo like device this is possible also and could be integrated with the iTools/.mac pay for services. Some sites were talking about how Apple wants to generate more money from .Mac/iTools. Well a subscription fee based on giving users data on TV programing info is one way. In addition Apple would be able to add things like ease of integration with computer over airport? Or Apple has a direct means for putting quicktime on your TV set with it.
Microsoft is trying to do that as well with their Corona media player due soon. They want HDTV media player, which is what Corona is. Apple's own Quicktime with Mpeg4 is that aim as well.

Oh well, its fun speculating. Only a few hours left (so to speak). :)
 
I'm hoping for an iPod/iTunes update that supports AAC.. they use half the flie space right? 2000 songs in my pocket :)
 
Here's my unofficial predictions:

1. G5 X-serve, deferred ship date. G5's were sampled in January. Its time for initial releases to go out.

2. Powermac G4 major upgrade including Firewire 2, 1.4 ghx, dual drive bays on front, DDR, faster bus. Ship in late August.

3. Open or free tivo like software/hardware. Free TV is almost back again. (one more thing)

4. emac speeed bump and feature add-on DVD

5. Pro audio product line. Better mac audio I/O support.

One product will fail on stage, blow up and Steve will toss it off the stage and it will fall into Bill Gates lap.

Jerry

Just guesses.

:cool:
 
Re: G5

Originally posted by kaneda
G5 will be announce!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!!
Click to expand...

Of course the price will be $12,000, and well worth it, but let them loose.

Rocketman

avatar.jpg
 
eMac speed bump

I would rather Apple keep the same speed for the eMacs and drop the price. If they intend to drop the G3 iMacs from the lineup, I would love to have the eMac creep down in price to replace them.

On the same note, I wish you could Build To Order a eMac with a DVD-ROM and no modem.
 
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